Focus: Hebrews 13:16 - KJV
16. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Philippians 4:10-19
God is someone that delights in quality sacrifice made by someone with clean hands and pure heart. Unfortunately, however, the blood of goats the Lord would not drink, neither does He countenance that of the ram. Meaning: as lofty as giving sacrifice in the name of the Lord is, such must be something that impacts mankind to attract God’s attention, or be countenanced. For whatever we give on this side of eternity is of no direct consequence to the being of God. Hence, when we do good to others, particularly those that are of the household of faith, then we make meaningful impact in the sight of the Lord. Members of the household of faith are not called brethren for nothing. I cannot be your brother and have you lavish affluence in showmanship pretending you are giving unto God, while I am hungry to your knowledge and right beside you, without you lifting a finger to assist. What manner of brotherhood is that? Above that, it is important that we support one another not necessarily because we lack, but because it is the will of God that we do so. Even though Paul was not in lack, he appreciated that the Christians in Philippi were benevolent towards him for such act added to their credit before God. And of course, Paul had assurance that God would supply their needs for being so benevolent.
Today, the Lord seeks our benevolence towards other men and not our pretense of being benevolent towards Him. When we give to those through whom He feeds us with the Bread of Life, we actually gladden His heart. It should not be our concern that the concerned party is not in lack; ours should be that we are doing it for the Lord. Of equal importance, let us stop looking away when we encounter the needy and we have the ability to give. When we give, it is received as a worthy sacrifice unto our God for which our reward is never in doubt. Whenever we ignore the needy to go and lavish on the affluent particularly at the parties, we ought to take a thought on what goes on in the mind of the needy: would he at such a time be saying to us God bless you, or otherwise? It is important that we engage in acts that draw blessings to us and not the converse. Give without flinching. Do the best you can to communicate God’s goodness to you with others. When you do, it becomes an answer to someone’s prayer and you surely would have done it for God.
Father, please help us to be more benevolent than we had been before now, in Jesus’ name. Let our benevolence meet with your desires for our lives in the name of Jesus. We are not able to give quality sacrifice when we do not have enough bread to eat ourselves: you that give bread to the eater and seed to the sower, please give us in abundance and help us to remember and not fail in releasing the seed every time necessary, in Jesus’ name. In all, please let our record be filled with your blessings for all our benevolence in Jesus’ name.
SOLUTION: Please be benevolent towards your brethren; never turn your back on those in need. God is more pleased in such sacrifice than most others. Don’t forget to support your spiritual leaders not minding how wealthy they are to your mind. If everyone assumes they are wealthy and stop supporting them, how would they be able to do the work without distraction?
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name.
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